However, Holman - who starred in The Bachelorette's seventh season - told TV Guide that he doesn't think Galavis is a good choice.

"I don't think America is going to get what they're looking for with Juan Pablo," he said. "He has the draw of the accent, but I think it'll get a little boring after a while. It's not going to go well. But it'll probably be one of the best first episodes of any season."

Bachelor star Michelle Money also expressed reservations, suggesting that she is interested to see which women will be cast and adding: "It'll definitely be a sexy season that's either going to work really well or bomb really badly."

However, Galavis received support from Bob Guiney - who praised producers for choosing someone with "a little spice" - and from Graham Bunn, who pointed out that Galavis received a great reaction from the public when he was named the new Bachelor.